Christophe Léon Louis Juchault de Lamoricière (5 September 1806 – 11 September 1865) was a French general.
He was born at Nantes, and entered the Engineers in 1828. He studied at the Ecole Polytechnique, the Ecole d'Application. He was commissioned a sub-lieutenant in the engineers. He served in the Algerian campaigns from 1830 onwards, was made a captain of Zouaves.[1]
By 1840, he had risen to the grade of maréchal-de-camp (major-general). Three years later he was made a general of division. He was one of the most distinguished and efficient of Bugeaud's generals, rendered special service at Isly (14 August 1844), acted temporarily as governor-general of Algeria, and finally effected the capture of Abd-el-Kader in 1847.[2]
Lamoricière took some part in the political events of 1848, both as a member of the Chamber of Deputies and as a military commander. Under the regime of General Cavaignac he was for a time minister of war (June 28 – December 20, 1848). From 1848 to 1851 Lamoricière was one of the most conspicuous opponents of the policies of Louis Napoleon, and at the coup d'état of 2 December 1851 he was arrested and exiled.[2]
He refused to give his allegiance to Emperor Napoleon III. In 1860 he accepted command of the papal army, which he led in the Italian campaign of 1860.[1] On 18 September that year, he was severely defeated by the Italian army at Castelfidardo.[2]
His last years were spent in complete retirement in France (he had been allowed to return in 1857), and he died at Prouzel (Somme) in 1865.[2]
His tomb at Nantes Cathedral, designed by Paul Dubois, was completed in 1875.[3]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Louis Eugène Cavaignac |
Minister of War 28 June 1848 - 20 December 1848 |
Succeeded by Joseph Marcelin Rulhières |